Postal meter having means for selectively controlling
magnitude op work peed increment



May 25, 1965 c. s. BALAZ ETAL 3,185,008

POSTAL METER HAVING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING MAGNITUDE OF WORKFEED INCREMENT Filed Nov. 30, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet l FIE l y 5, 1965 c.BALAZ ETAL 3,185,008

POSTAL METER HAVING ANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING MAGNITUDE OF WORKFEED INCREMENT Filed Nov. 50, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIEI E May 25, 1965c. s. BALAZ' ETAL 3,185,008

POSTAL METER HAVING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING MAGNI'IUDE OF WORKFEED INCREMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 30, 1962 May 25, 1965 c. s.BALAZ ETAL POSTAL METER HAVING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLINGMAGNITUDE OF WORK FEED INCREMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. 30, 1962 y1965 c. s. BALAZ ETAL 3,185,008

POSTAL METER HAVING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING MAGNITUDE OF WORKFEED INCREMENT 6 SheetsSheet 5 Filed NOV. 30, 1962 y 25, 1965 c. s.BALAZ ETAL 3,

POSTAL METER HAVING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING MAGNITUDE OF WORKFEED INCREMENT- Filed Nov. 30, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United StatesPatent 3,185,008 POSTAL METER HAVING MEANS FOR SELEC- TIVELY CONTROLLINGMAGNITUDE OF WORK FEED INCREMENT Charles S. Balaz, Hayward, and lngemarH. Lundquist, Oakland, Calif, assignors, by mesne assignments, toFriden, inc, San Leandro, Calif, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov.30, 1962, Ser. No. 241,395 Claims. (Cl. 83-=-224) This invention relatesto a tape unit control device for a postage metering machine. Morespecifically, the invention is an improvement of a tape feed device ofthe type illustrated and described in the patent of Lundquist et al.,No. 3,062,133, issued November 6, 1962.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tapefeed mechanism for a tape control device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved meansfor selectively controlling the feeding and severing of tape strips ofpredetermined lengths.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved tapefeed mechanism selectively controlled for the dispensing of tape stripsof each of a plurality of lengths.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the postage metering machine witha portion of the base cover broken away to show the tape feed unit;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view showing the selective control for the tapefeed mechanism and the main drive clutch control mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary frontal elevational view of the base portion ofthe machine with the cover partially broken away to more clearly showthe power-driven actuator for the tape feed drive mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tape feed mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the print drum bearing the dater die and slogandie plate;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the tape feedmechanism showing the normal inactive position of the parts forcontrolling angular rotation of the tape feed roller, the view beingtaken on the plane indicated by line 66 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of the mechanism fordetermining the angular rotation of the feed roller, the view beingtaken on the planes indicated by the lines 77 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary transverse elevational view of the tape feedmechanism, the view being taken on the plane indicated by the line 88 inFIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 1 the tape control unit 10 of which the invention is apart is preferably shown as embodied in a postage metering machine ofthe type disclosed in the patent of Ingemar H. Lundquist, No. 3,107,854,issued October 22, 1963. Only so much of the postage metering machinewill be described as is believed necessary for an understanding of thecontrol of the tape control unit 10. Such machine comprises generallythe base portion 12, the housing for the cyclic clutch-controlled powerunit and the postage meter unit 20.

The tape control unit 10 (FIG. 1) is removably supported on the baseplate 21 of the base portion 12 within the cover 22. Also enclosedwithin the cover 22 is an electric motor (not shown) which serves, uponenergization thereof, to effect a continuous operation of the endlessbelt 23, the upper run of which moves to the right in FIG. 1 in a planeparallel to and above the top surface of the cover 22. In addition tocontrolling the operation ice of the belt 23, the electric motor alsoserves, by means of timing belt 24 (FIG. 2), to control the operation ofthe cyclic clutch 25, enclosed within the power unit housing 15. Uponengagement of the clutch 25, a clutchdriven mechanism (not shown)functions in a conventional manner to impart a synchronous cyclicrotation to the rotary printing drums, one of which is generallyindicated at 26 (FIG. 1) and is suitably journalled in the power unithousing 15 and the other of which is generally indicated at 27, suitablyjournalled within the framework of the postage meter unit 29.

The rotary printing drum 26 (FIGS. 1 and 5) carries the town circle die28, dater die wheels 29, bulk rate die 3t and the removable slogan dieplate 31, while the printing drum 27 carries the postage indicia die.The dater die wheels 29 and bulk rate die 30 are each selectivelyadjustable to print or nonprint position under the control of theknurled knob 32 and, in a like manner, the slogan die plate 31 may beselectively adjusted from a print to a nonprint position by manipulationof the knurled knob 33. Knurled knobs 32 and 33 are freely mounted forindependent manipulation on the outer extended end of the shaft 34, uponwhich the rotary printing drum 26 is secured. The axes of the printingdrum 26 and the postage indicia printing drum 27 are parallel and theaxial spacing of the drums is such that the impression made by each ofthe printing drums on a tape forms a complete postmark thereon. Each ofthe rotary printing drums 26 and 27 is provided with a similar roller 35which, in the full cycle position of the drums, is in rolling contactwith the upper running surface of the endless belt 23 and is positioneddirectly above respective impression rollers, or platens, 36 and 37,which are normally spring-urged upwardly into rolling contact with theunderside of the belt 23.

The endless belt 23 (FIGS. 1 and 3) is carried by pulley 42 secured onshaft 41 and similar pulley 44 secured on shaft 43, each of the shaftsbeing suitably journalled in axially parallel relationship within theframework of the base portion 12. In order to drive the endless belt 23,gear 45 secured on drive shaft 46 rotating continuously in a clockwisedirection, upon energization of the motor, is enmeshed with gear 47which, in turn, is enmeshed with gear 48 secured on pulley shaft 41,causing movement of the upper run of the belt 23 to the right. Pulley 42is normally urged upwardly to resiliently maintain belt 23 in engagementwith pressure roller 49 suitably supported within the framework of thepower unit housing 15. Similarly, pulley 44 is normally urged upwardlyto resiliently maintain belt 23 in engagement with pressure roller 50suitably supported within the meter unit 24). Thus, tape, in passingbetween the belt 23 and pressure rollers 49, 35 and 5b, is maintained infrictional engagement with the belt for discharge at the right endthereof.

Referring to FIG. 2 and as explained above, the cyclic clutch 25 becomeseffective, upon engagement thereof, to cause a synchronous cyclicrotation of the rotary printing drums 26 and 27, the peripheral speed ofwhich is in timed relation to the surface speed of the belt 23. Clutch25 is of a well-known construction and is normally retained in itsfull-cycle, or disengaged condition, by clutch control member 54.Control member 54 is normally urged counter-clockwise intov theclutch-disengaging position by means of spring 55, which also serves toresiliently maintain a shoulder formed in the lower edge of clutchcontrol link 56 in engagement with the ear 57 formed at a right angle tothe upwardly extended arm of control member 54. At its right end, link56 is pivotally mounted at 53 on arm 59 secured on shaft 6t suitablyjournalled in the framework of the machine and within the housing 15.Thus, it can be seen that upon clockwise rocking movement of ansaoosshaft 60, clutch control member 54 is likewise rocked to effectengagement of clutch 25 for a single cycle of operation as described inthe afore-mentioned patent, No.

Although the invention is shown and described as an improvement of thetape control device disclosed in the aforementioned patent, No.3,062,133, it will be understood that the invention'is adaptable for usein any type of tape control mechanism which operates to feed the tapefrom a roll, or source of supply, to a position Where it is severed toform strips of selected lengths. As shown, the tape feed and cuttingmechanism is adapted to be detachably mounted. as a unit within themachine and, when ro erl mounted for o era-tion, it is in a osition suchthat each severed strip of tape, or web, will thereafter be advanced tothe printing station for animpression by each between the verticallydisposed parallel walls of the respective guideway blocks 67 and 68toprevent inaccurate alignment of the tape feed mechanism and thecontrol mechanism therefor, as will be hereinafter described. Followingthe sliding movement of the base 64 and the mechanism mounted thereoninto operative position with- 1 in the machine, thebase, and themechanism carried thereby, is moved upwardly and becomes locked in theraised position against movement in either direction by therocking ofhandle 69 to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4;

The base plate 64 of the tape control unit serves to mount the roll oftape, or webbing 7 0, mechanism for feed-.

Base plate 64 is substantially rectangular in shape and is of a lengthsufiiciently less than the spacing 1 gear 92 enmeshed with gear 91 and,therefore, roller 79 in frictional contact with feed roller. 80,:U-shaped bracket 86 is resiliently urged to the position shown in FIG.6 by means of the relatively strong spring 94.- The peripheral surfaceof roller 79 is preferably'covered with a cylinder of rubber similar tofeed roller 80 and, in'operation, the strength of the spring 94 is such.that sufficient pressure is applied by roller 79 to ensure uninterruptedfeeding of the tape T from the source of supply 70. The degree ofcontact pressure of roller 79 and feed roller 80 with the respectivesurfaces of the tape T is determined by the pitch diameter of theenmeshed gears 92 and 91. The pitch diameter of each gear. 91 and 92 isonly slightly less than the outside diameter of the respective feedroller 80 and roller 79 and is such that the peripheral speed of theroller 79 is substantially equal to that of feed-roller 80.

Following energization of theelectric motor and, thus, the initiation ofanoperation ofthe endless belt 23 by manipulation of control button 95(FIG. 1), a depression of control key 96 will effect rotation of feedroller 80 (FIG. 8) to move tapeT across a rotary cutter device,generally indicated at 97 (FIG. 4). From the cutter device 97, theleading en-dof the tape is advanced to a position wherein it isfrictionally grasped by, feed belt 23' 7 between the belt andpressurerollen49 (FIG. '1). As the leading end of tape T is moved intothe nip of belt 23 and pressure roller 49, engagement of clutch 25 iseffected to cause a synchronous cyclic rotation of each of the printingdrums .26 and 27. Following-reither 180 rotation or a completerevolution of the feed. roller 80, the rotary cutter device 97 becomeseffective to sever the tape, thereby providing a strip of predeterminedlength which is I thereafter advanced by the feed belt 23 to theprinting ing a predetermined length of tape and a cutting knifeeffective to thereafter sever the tape,.forming a strip of either of twopredetermined lengths.

The tape feed and cutting mechanisms are supported in spaced parallelframe 1 posed peg 76 secured on base 64, beneath and in contact withroller 77 (FIGS. 4 and 6) rotatably mounted on shaft 78 journalled inframe members 72 and 73., The advancemaintain plate 106 in spacedparallel relationship to.

men-t of tape T is upwardly from roller 77 and is effected by means ofthe pair of power-driven feed rollers 79 and 80 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 8),.coacting one with the other to move the tape to the cutting stationwhere it is severed to form strips of predetermined lengths.

Roller 77 is rotatably mounted on shaft 78 and is positioned between theparallel legs $4 and 85 of the substantially U-shaped bracket 86. Eachof the legs 84 and 85 is keyed to the shaft 78 so that a rocking of thebracket 86, counter-clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 6, willrock shaft '78. The rocking functionof the bracket 86 is not consideredto be pertinent to the invention and will not, therefore, be describedherein. However, for a complete description of this mechanism, referenceis to be had to the afore-mentioned patent, No. 3,062,133.

As stated above, the tape T, in its path of movement from roller 77,passes between feed rollers 79 and $9, the cooperation of the feedrollers 79 and 80 serving to frictionally control intermittent movementof the tape. Feed nalled in suitable bearing bushings in each of framememsurface of which is encompassed by a suitable frictional material,such as rubber.

85 of U-shaped bracket 86.

roller is secured on shaft 90 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) jourstation for apostmark impression drums 26 and 27. Referring nowto FIGS. 6 and 8, therotationof feed roller 80 is under the control of a pair of similarpinion gears 102. and 10.3 and a rack and pinion 104 and 105. Rack 104,enmeshed withpinion 105, is secured on a plate 106- suitably mounted forselective differential reciprocatory movement on studs 107, 108 and 109on frame member 73. Each of thestuds 107; and 108 serves to by each ofprinting frame member 73 by the engagement of the reduced diametral endportion of each stud in respective elongated parallel slots 110 and 111in plate'106. The slots 11%) and 111 are likewise disposed in parallelrelationship to the rack 104. In addition to the pin-and-slotconnections 107, 110 and 108,111, plate 106 is further guided in itsreciprocatory movement parallelto frame member 73 by the engagement ofthe upper edge of the plate in an annular slot in stud 109. .Normally,plate 106 is biased to the right-hand position shown in FIG. 6 by'meansof a relatively strong spring 115 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 8), secured at. itsone end on a stud 116cm frame member 73 and at its other end on a stud117 secured on plate 106 and extending through an elongated slot 118 inframe me1nber 73.

Upon reciprocation of plate 106, rack 104, enmeshed with pinion-105secured .on and concentric with pinion 102, imparts rotation to pinion102. Pinions' 102, 105 are rotatably' mounted on a stub shaft. 119secured on frame member 73. Pinion 102 is enmeshed with pinion 103secured on one end of a hub 120 'rotatably mounted on shaft 90 so that,upon rotation of pinion 102, a similar angular rotation is irnpartedtopinion 103. The hub 120 of pinion 103 extends through an elongated slot121 in plate 106, the width of the slot being such that there issufiicient clearance to permit reciprocation of plate 106-.Uponmovernent of plate 106 and rack 104 'to the left from the normallyinactive posit-ion shown in FIG. 6

' under control of an actuating mechanism, generally indicated at-122(FIG. '3) and to be described hereinafter, pinion 103 is rotated in aclockwise direction (FIG. 6)

to impart a similar clockwise rotation to shaft 90 and feed roller 80.

The clockwise rotation of pinion 103 (FIG. 6) is transmitted to shaft 90by means of a coil spring-type clutch 125, an actuating disk 126 and adriven disk 127 (FIGS. 7 and 8). Each of the disks 126 and 127 iscup-shaped with the outside diameter of the cup portion of the disk 126being sufiiciently less than the inside diameter of the cup portion ofdisk 127 so that the cup portion of disk 126 may be inserted for freeturning movement within the cup portion of disk 127 to enable thepositioning of the disk, one adjacent the other, on shaft 90. Theactuating, or driving, disk 126 and driven disk 127 are of equaldiameter and each is provided with a pair of similar substantiallyV-shaped notches 128, 129 and 130, 131, respectively, in the peripheralsurface thereof (FIGS. 6 and 7). Notches 128, 129 and 130, 131 ofrespective disks 126 and 127 are diametrically opposed and, as will bedescribed hereinafter, the notches 128 and 129 in disk 126 cooperatewith respective notches 130 anad 131 in disk 127 to efiect operation ofthe cutter mechanism 97 in either of two angularly rotated positions ofthe disks. Driven disk 127 is provided with a hub 132 pinned on shaft90, whereas driving disk 126 is carried by a hub 133 rotatable on shaft90 with the end of the hub 133 abutting the end of pinion hub 120,intermediate the axial length of the spring 125. As stated above,rotation of pinion 103 is transmitted to disk 126 by the spring-clutch125 which is tightly coiled in a clockwise direction, as viewed from theright in FIG. 8, and is supported on the hub 133 of disk 126 and on thehub 120 of pinion 103. The diameter of the hubs 120 and 133 issubstantially that of the inside diameter of the coiled spring 125. Forsubstantially half of its axial length, spring 125 is positioned withinthe cup portion of the disk 126, with the end of the spring in abuttingrelationship to the inner surface of the cup portion of the disk. At itsother end, spring 125 abuts the surface of a flange 134 integrallyformed on hub 120, intermediate the end of the hub and pinion 103. Thus,it becomes apparent that upon clockwise rotation of pinion 103 (FIG. 6),coil spring 125 is tightened to provide a frictional bond between thespring and hub 120 of the pinion 103 and hub 133 of disk 126, therebyeffecting a similar rotation of disk 126. However, inasmuch as spring125 is coiled in a clockwise direction, pinion 103 may be rotatedcounter-clockwise (FIG. 6) independently of disk 126 for a purpose to beexplained later.

A driving connection is provided between disks 126 and 127 to enable aclockwise rotation of feed roller 80, as viewed from the right in FIG.8, upon rotation of pinion 103 by rack 104 as plate 106 isdifferentially moved selectively from its normally inactive position.For this purpose, a pin 138 (FIGS. 7 and 8), projecting outwardly fromthe inner face of the disk 126, is engaged in an arcuate slot 139 in thejuxtapositioned driven disk 127. In the normal at rest position of thetape feed mechanism, pin 138 on driving disk 126 abuts thecounterclockwise end of the arcuate slot 139 in driven disk 127, as seenin FIG. 7. It will be noted that with the pin 138 so positioned in slot139, the notches 128 and 129 of disk 126 are aligned with thecorresponding notches 130 and 131 of disk 127. Immediately, uponclockwise rotation of pinion 103, disk 126 is likewise rotated and,following a lost motion of approximately 35 in the rotation of disk 126,pin 138 carried thereby engages the clockwise end of the slot 139 (FIG.7) to immediately, thereafter, effect a clockwise rotation of drivendisk 127, shaft 90 and tape feed roller 80. Continued clockwise rotationof pinion 103, disk 126 and disk 127 will selectively move the V-notch128 of disk 126 to either an angularly rotated position approximately215 or 395 displaced from the position thereof shown in FIG. 7. At thesame time, the V-notch 130 in disk 127, corresponding to V-notch 128 indisk 126, will either be moved to an angularly rotated positionapproximately 180 or 360 from the position thereof, likewise shown inFIG. 7. Fol lowing the selective 180 or 360 rotation of the disk 127 andfeed roller 80, rotation of the feed roller will be terminated and rack104 will be released to be returned to its normally inactive position(FiGS. 3 and 6) under the influence of spring 115, as will be describedhereinafter.

As stated hereinbefore, the control of the tape feed mechanism isenabled by the manipulation of control key 96 (FIG. 1), which operatesin a conventional manner to initiate operation of the power-drivenactuating mechanism 122 (FIG. 3). Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 6,following the sliding movement of the base 64 and the tape feedmechanism 10 thereon into its operative posi tion within the machine,the base 64 is locked in place by adjustment of handle 69 to theposition shown in FIG. 1. Upon locking base 64 in its operativeposition, the tape feed roller is accurately positioned for cooperationwith feed belt 23, and a stud 140, secured on plate 106 adjacent theright end thereof, is aligned with rack slide 141 of the power-drivenactuating mechanism 122. The rack slide 141 is positioned adjacentbracket 142 and is supported for endwise movement thereon by means ofpins 143 and 144 engaged in respective elongated slots 145 and 146 inslide 141. Bracket 142 is secured on frame member 147 in parallel spacedrelationship thereto to maintain rack slide 141 in the plane of gear 148secured to gear 45 carried by drive shaft 46. Each of the pins 143 and144 is of similar diameter. However, slot 146 is wider than slot 145,thereby enabling oscillatory movement of rack slide 141 about pin 143 toeffect an engagement or disengagement of the rack teeth 149 with thegear 148.

Normally, rack slide 141 is resiliently maintained in the inactiveposition shown in FIG. 3 by means of the relatively strong spring 153,wherein car 154 on slide 141 abuts limit stop 155 which is preferably ofrubber and is supported on bracket 142. The influence of spring 153 issuch that rack slide 141 is not only urged to the right in FIG. 3, butis also urged clockwise about pin 143 to engage the upper edge and leftend surface of slot 146 with pin 144, thereby maintaining rack teeth 149out of engagement with the teeth of gear 148.

It will be remembered that upon energization of the motor drive means,drive shaft 46 rotates continuously to effect a continuous operation offeed belt 23. At any time during the continuous rotation of drive shaft46, a depression of control key 96 will effect a rocking movement of theslide 141 counter-clockwise to engage the rack teeth 149 with the gear148 (FIG. 3). Immediately upon engagement of the rack teeth 149 with theteeth of gear 148, slide 141 is moved to the left, as viewed in FIG. 3,when, following an initial predetermined lineal motion of the slide 141,a shoulder 156 formed in the left end portion of the slide 141 engagesstud 140 secured on the rack supporting plate 106 to effect rotation oftape feed roller 80. To control the engagement of the rack teeth 149with gear 148, rocker plate 158, pivotally mounted at 159 on andadjacent frame member 147, carries a pair of diametrically opposedrollers 160 and 161. The plate 158 may be rocked from the normalinactive position shown in FIG. 3 counter-clockwise to its activeposition and is resiliently retained in either the inactive or activeposition thereof by means of toggle spring 162. Each position of theplate is determined by the engagement of one shoulder or the otherformed by the arcuate recess 163 in the defining edge of the plate 158with pin 164 on frame member 147.

In the normally inactive position of the rocker plate 158, the ear 165,formed at a right angle thereto, is substantially perpendicularlydisposed, having its upper edge portion engaged in recess 166 formed inthe lower edge of the horizontally disposed link 167. At its right-handend (FIG. 3), link 167 is connected by suitable linkage (not shown) tocontrol key 96 (FIG. 1) and becomes effective,

7 7 v in a well-known manner, upon depression of control key 96, to movelink 167 to the right. end, link 167 is supported for reciprocatorymovement in a vertical slot in the angularly disposed right angle pro- Ijection 168 of lever 169 pivotaliy mounted on frame member 147.

Normally, link 167 is urged to the left (FIG. 3) by spring 172. In theinactive position of the link 167 and rocker plate 158, the bottom ofthe recess 166 in link 167 rests on the upper edge of the ear 165 andthe lefthand shoulder formed by the recess abuts the face of the ear165. Upon depression of control key 96, link 1167 is moved to the right(FIG. 3) and the left-hand shoulder of the recess portion 166 of thelink, by virtue of its engagement with car 165, effects acounter-clockwise rocking movement of the rocker plate 158 from itsnormally inactive to its active position. As the rocker plate 168 isadjusted to its active position, roller 160 engages the lower edge ofthe rack slide ldL'rocking the slide counterclockwise about pm 143 toengage the rack teeth 149 with the continuously running gear 1423.Thereafter, rocker plate 158 is resiliently maintained in its active, orrackengaging, position by means of the toggle spring 162, and thediametrically opposed rollers 160 and 161 are positioned and retained ina horizontal plane parallel to the path of travel of the rack slide 141.

As the teeth 149 of the slide 141 are moved into en- 1 on roller 161,while the lower edge of the slide 1141 continues to ride on roller 160.Following a lost motion of the rack slide 141, equivalent toapproximately one-half the extent of its travel, shoulder 156 engage pin146- on plate 106. Thereafter, continued movement of the rack slide 141to the left'causes rack 104 to become effective to impart 180 clockwiserotation to tape feed roller 80,

moving the leading end of tape T into engagement with a feed belt 23.

As rack slide 141 nears the completion of its leftward travel, thedownwardly inclined leading edge 174 of a depending portion of the slide141 moves into engagement with roller 160 and becomes effective, uponfurther movement of the slide, to rock plate 158 clockwise. As roller160 moves downwardly along the inclined surface 174, roller 161 movesupwardly along the beveled right-hand end surface of cam bar 173.Immediately upon movement of roller 161 beyond the end of the cam bar173, toggle spring 162 becomes effective to restore rocker plate .158 toits inactive position. During the return of the plate 158 to itsinactive position, roller 160 engages the horizontally disposed upperedge surface 175 of the depending portion of slide 141 which, togetherwith the biasing effect of the spring 153, causes disengagement of therack teeth 149 from the teeth of gear 14-8 and return of the slide 141to the inactive position shown in FIG. '3. Simultaneously therewith,plate 1&6 and, therefore, rack 104 are restored to the inactive positionunder the influence of spring 115.

I There are certain conditions under which the link 167 is renderedinoperative to effect engagement of the rack 149 with gear 148 for anoperation of the tape feed roller 80; One such condition is that of theexhaustion of the tape supply 70, another being the condition whereinthe tape is improperly threaded, and the third being the conditionwherein the tape feed unit is removed from the machine. However, themechanism for controlling the disablement of the link 167 under theseconditions is not considered pertinent to the invention and will,therefore, not be described herein. For a description of this Adjacentits other mechanism, as well as a more. complete disclosure of the tapefeedactuating mechanism 122,v reference is to be had to theafore-mentioned patent, No. 3,062,133.

In the embodiment shown, the rotary-cutter employed is preferablyof thetype, the two members of which have intermeshing'serrated edgesandcomprise a cutter rod 176, one end portion of which is provided witha series of circumferential serrations, as at 177, and the other endportion of which is of a reduced diameter and serves to journal thecutter rod 176 in suitable bearings in each of "frame members 72 and 73;At its outer end, the serrated portion 177 is cradled in a semicircularnotch in the upwardly inclined edge of frame member 71, providingadditional support for cutter rod176. In order to provide a cuttingedge, the serrated portion 177 of rod 176 is cut away, providing a fiatsurface extending axially the length of the serrated portion 177. Inoperation, the teeth of the serrated portion 177 of rod 176 are adaptedto intermesh with a series of similar serrations provided along the edgeof cutting blade 178 extending transversely of feed roller between framemembers 71 and 72. A portion of the lowersurface of the cutting blade178 is cut away, providing a channelof sufficient length and depth topermit the passage of the tape therethrough during a tape feedingoperation.

In the normally inactive position of the plate 106 and disks. 126 and127 (FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the notches 128 and .129 of disk 126 arealigned with the corresponding notches 130 and 1310f disk 127, thecutting edge of the serrated portion 177 of the rotary cutter 97 is inthe actuated position'relative to the teeth of the cutter blade. 17%},Thus, the tape passageway provided in the cutting blade 178 is closed.However, upon engagement of shoulder156 of rack slide 141 with stud onplate 1t96-and the subsequent movement of the plate 106, to the left asviewed in FIG. ,6, the initial 35 rotation of disk 126 becomes effectiveto rock cutter shaft 1'76 counter-clockwise (FIGS. 6 and 7).: Thetoothed portion 177 of the cutter shaft 176 is, therefore, rocked out ofactive engagement with the teeth of the cutting blade 178, therebyenabling the, tape T to pass over the flat surface of the toothedportion 177. To control the rocking of the cutter shaft 176, arm 132(FIGS. 4, 6 and 7), secured on shaft 176 intermediate frame members 72and 73, is provided with the nose portion 183 which is normally urgedunder the influence of the relatively strong spring 184 into either thealigned notches 12S and 130 or 129 and 131 of respective disks 126 and127. Arm 182 is of a thickness equivalent to the combined thicknesses ofthe disks 126 and 127 so that, uponan angular displacement of the notch128 or 12.9 in disk 126 relative to the corresponding .notch'130 or 131in disk 127,'the nose 183 of arm 182 will ride on the periphery of onedisk or the other, or both, thereby maintaining-the cutter portion 177in its inactive position.

As explained hereinbefore, immediately upon actuation of rack 104 to theleft from the inactive position shown in FIG. 6, disk 126 receives aninitial angular rotation of approximately 35 in a clockwise direction,whereupon pin 133 (FIG. 7) on disk 126 is moved into engagement with theupper end of the slot 139 in disk'127. During this initial rotation ofdisk 126, the formed camrning edge of either the notch 128 or 129therein becomes effective to rock arm 132 counter-clockwise therebyrendering the cutter device inactive. Thereafter, both disks 126 and 127rotate together in a clockwise direction as the rack 10d continues itsmovement to the left under the control of actuator rack slide 141.

During this phase of the operation, disk 126 receives an angularrotation of 215, while disk 127 and, therefore, tape feed roller 80receive an angular rotation of thereby moving the leading end of thetape T across the flat surface of the serrated portion 177 of the cutter97 and into frictional contact with belt 23 between the belt andpressure roller 4%., Also, during this phase of the operation, the nose183 of arm 182 (FIG. 7) rides on the peripheral edge of the disks 126and 127, maintaining the cutting edge of the serrated portion 177 in itsinactive position relative to cutter blade 178. At the same time, thenotches 128 and 129 of disk 126 assume a position wherein the notchesare advanced 35 clockwise from the corresponding notches 130 and 131 ofdisk 127. This 35 clockwise rotation of disk 126 is not sufiicient tocause the disk to completely overlie the notches in disk 127. Thus, theaxial alignment of the corresponding notches in the respective disks isrestricted so that only a small portion of the left-hand surface ofeither notch 128 or 129 is exposed for engagement by the nose of arm 182following the 180' rotation of disk 127. As disk 127 and feed roller 80complete 180 of rotation, the nose of the arm 182, under the influenceof the relatively strong spring 184, engages the exposed surface ofeither notch 128 or 129 of disk 126 to return the disk counter-clockwiseuntil pin 138 engages the lower end of the slot 139 in disk 127 Thecorresponding notches in the respective disks are thus realigned andsimultaneously therewith, spring 115 becomes effective to return theplate 106 and, therefore, rack 104 to the normally inactive position.Upon engagement of the nose 183 of arm 182 in the aligned notches of thedisks 126 and 127, rotation of the disks and feed roller 80 isterminated and the force exerted by the spring 184 is sufficient tocause the serrated edge of the toothed portion 177 of cutter device 97to sever the tape, forming a short strip. Thereafter, the severed stripis carried by means of belt 23 to and beyond the printing station for animpression by each of printing heads 26 and 27. Following thetermination of rotation of disks 126, 127 and feed roller 80, pinion 103(FIG. 6) will continue to rotate freely counterclockwise on shaft 90thereby enabling rack 104 to continue its return to the inactiveposition shown.

Following the 180 rotation of feed roller 80, and the re-engagement ofthe nose 183 of arm 182 in either pair of aligned notches 128 and 130 or129 and 131 of the disks 126 and 127, a short tape is provided which,upon advancement by belt 23 through the printing station, will receive apostage impression from print drum 26 and the indicia print drum 27. Adifferential actuation of rack 104 may be utilized, when desired, toenable the operation of the tape feed mechanism for the provision of along tape which, upon severance thereof, is advanced by the belt 23through the printing station to receive a slogan impression from printdrum 26 in addition to the postage impression from each of the printdrums 26 and 27.

In order to provide a long tape, disk 126 is revolved 395 to effect onecomplete 360 rotation of disk 127 and, therefore, feed roller 80. Forthis purpose, a pin 185 is slidably mounted for axial movement (FIGS. 3,4 and 6) within a suitable bushing 186 secured on plate 106, below andto the right of pin 140. Pin 185 is axially parallel to pin 140 and isnormally retained in an endwise adjusted position such that its one endis flush with the outer surface of plate 106. At its other end, pin 185is provided with a circular head 187, disposed between the head of a pin188 carried by an car 189 and the surface of the ear 189 which is formedat a right angle to a bar 190 suitably supported for endwise movement inrectangular apertures in each of frame members 71 and 72. The bar 190 isnormally urged to the position shown in FIG. 4 by a spring 191 securedat its one end on a pin carried on bar 190 and at its other end on anextended ear of frame member 71. In this normally inactive position ofthe bar 190, determined by the engagement of a pin 192 on the bar withframe member 71, the outer end surface of the pin 185 is flush with theface of plate 106. Upon movement of bar 190 downwardly, as viewed inFIG. 4, against the urgency of spring 191, or to the right as viewed inFIG. 8, the end portion of the pin 185 is moved outwardly beyond theface of plate 106 into the plane of movement of rack slide 141 forengagement by the arcuate end 193 thereof. In the normally inactiveposition of the plate 106 (FIGS. 3 and 6), the position of the extendedpin 185 relative to the arcuate end 193 of slide 141 is such that thegear-driven actuation of slide 141 for a tape feed operation will imparttwice the movement to plate 106 as that effected by the engagement ofthe shoulder 156 of slide 141 with stud on plate 106.

Upon initiation of a tape feed operation by the depression of controlkey 96 (FIG. 1), the initial movement imparted to plate 106 by theengagement of the arcuate end of rack slide 141 with pin 185- rotatesdisk 126 approximately 35 in a clockwise direction (FIG. 7) as describedabove. It will be remembered that this initial rotation of disk 126effects a rocking movement of arm 182 to rock the serrated portion 177of the cutter rod 176 to its inactive position. At the same time, pin138 moves into engagement with the upper end of slot 139 and each of thenotches 128 and 129 in disk 126 move out of alignment with thecorresponding notches 130 and 131 of disk 127 and remain out ofalignment until after a complete 360 rotation of disk 127 Following theinitial rotation of disk 126 and the subsequent rotation of both disks126 and 127, the nose 183 of arm 182 rides on the peripheral surface ofthe disks to maintain cutter 97 disabled. Due to the displacement of thenotches in one disk relative to the notches in the other disk, the noseof the arm 182 will ride on the peripheral surface of the disk 126through the angular rotation of disk 127. As the disk 127 completes afull revolution and the teeth of rack slide 141 become disengaged fromthe teeth of gear 148, slide 141 is retracted to its inactive positionand rack 104 returns to its inactive position. During the initial phaseof the return movement of rack 104, arm 182, under the influence ofspring 184, returns disk 126 an angular increment of 35counter-clockwise to move pin 138 into engagement with the lower end ofslot 139 in disk 127, thereby aligning the notches in disk 126 with thenotches in disk 127. Whereupon, the actively positioned pair ofcorresponding notches become engaged immediately by the nose 183 of arm182 under the urgency of the spring 184 to terminate rotation of feedroller 80 and to rock cutter rod 176, thereby severing the tape.Thereafter, rack 104 continues its return movement to the inactiveposition and the severed strip of long tape, which is twice the lengthof the short tape, is carried by the belt 23 through the printingstation.

The selective adjustment of pin 185, from its inactive to its activeposition, is under the control of the manipulative knob 33 (FIG. 5),which operates in a well-known manner to control the adjustment of theslogan die plate 31 to either the print or nonprint position on printingdrum 26. As fully described in the afore-mentioned patent, No.3,062,133, the die block 201, upon which the slogan die plate 31 isremovably mounted, is supported for radial movement on stud 202 securedon one leg of the U-shaped bracket 203 supported between each ofcircular end frames 204 and 205 which, in turn, are secured on shaft 34for rotation therewith. Normally, die block 201 and the slogan plate 31thereon are urged to the retracted, or nonprint, position by means ofcompression spring 206. To enable the retraction of the die block 201,the channel member 207, slidably supported on one leg of the U-shapedbracket 203, assumes a position to the right of the position shown inFIG. 5 under the urgency of spring 208. The movement of the channelmember 207 is parallel to the axis of shaft 34 and, upon manipulation ofknob 33, is moved to the position shown in FIG. 5, whereby die block 201is cammed radially to adjust the die plate 31 to the print position.Upon adjustment of the die plate 31 to the print position, a pin 209carried by channel member 287 for movement therewith becomes effectiveto cause an axial translation of pin 185 to its active position (FIGS. 5and 6), as will now be described.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8, pin 209 at its outer end is formedto provide a diametral rib which is eni t t1 gaged in a suitable groove216 in shaft 34. The groove 21ft extends longitudinally of the shaft 34parallel to the axis thereof and serves to confine rod 211, one end ofwhich abuts the rib portion of pin 269 and the other end of which abutscollar 215 slidably mounted on shaft 34. The respective ends of the rod211 are maintained in engagement with the rib on pin 269 and with collar215 by Ineansof compression spring 216 positioned on shaft 54 betweencollar 215 and disk 217 secured on shaft 34.

Thus, it can be seen that, upon movement of the channel member 2d7fromits right-hand, or inactive, position to the active position shownin FIG. 5 for'the adjustment of the die plate 31 to its print position,pin 269 becomes effective to move rod 211 axially of the shaft 34,thereby imparting a sliding movement to collar 215 on shaft 34,compressing spring 216. The control of the adjustment of die plate 31from its nonprint to print position and the axial translation of rod211is conventional. It is, therefore,-believed that the foregoingdescription will sufiice for an understanding of this mechanism.However, for

a more complete disclosure, reference is to be had to theafore-mentioned patent, No. 3,062,133.'

As the collar 215 is moved to the right in FIG. 2, means becomeeffective to move pin 185 axially from its normally inactive toitsactive position. For this purpose, a shaft 218 (FIGS. 2, 6 and 8) issuitably supported adjacent its one end in a bracket 219 secured onframe member 220 and is journalled adjacent its other end in crossframemember 221. At its respective ends, shaft 213 car- 'ries a verticallydisposed arm 222 and a depending-arm 223 secured thereon. The upwardlyextended laterally oifsetend of arm 222 is provided with an ear 224formed at a right angle thereto and positioned between the collar 215and the face of the disk 217 with its left-hand edge in contact with theflange on collar 215. As stated above, the compression spring 216normally urges collar 215 vto the left (FIG. 2) and the spacing therebyprovided between collar 215 and disk 217 is sufficiently greater thanthe width of the ear 224 on arm 222 to permit'the adjustment of the dieplate 31 from the nonprint to the print position and the rocking of thearm 222. At its lower extremity, the depending arm 223 is provided withcar 225, extending laterally at a right angle thereto for engagementwith the arcual end of the bar 199. Thus, upon movement of die plate 31to its print position and the movement of thecollar 215 to the right inFIG. 2, bar 1% is moved to the right in FIG. 8 to actively position theouter end portion of pin 185 in the path of travelof rack slide 141. Pin185 will remain in its active position so long as slogan die plate 31remains in its print adjusted position.

Itwill be recalled that a clockwise rotation of clutch control shaft 6tas viewed from the lower end thereof in FIG. 2, serves, in a well knownmanner, to effect an engagement of the cyclic clutch for the control ofa synchronous cyclic rotation of the print drums 26 and 27 in timedrelation to the surface speed of the belt 25. It will be noted also thata disengagement of clutch 25 is effected in a conventional mannerfollowing each cyclic operation of the print drums 26 and 27. In orderto effect engagement of clutch 25 and the operation, therefore, of thedrums 26 and 27 in timed relation to the feeding of the tape T,a-laterally extended pin' 230 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) is secured on racksupporting plate 106 for movement therewith. Pin 230 is engaged in abifurcation 231 in an position, the laterally extended pin 236 securedon the free end of arm 235 is angularly displaced a predeter mineddistance from the upper edge surface of the laterally extended endportion 2370f the slide 238, the extension 237 lying in the arcual pathof the pin 236 for engagement thereby, upon clockwise rocking movementof arm 2355. Slide 233 is mounted for .vertical endwise movement by theengagement ofeach ofpins 239 on the laterally offset extension 240 ofbracket 241 in suitable elongated slots in slide 238. Bracket-241 issecured on frame member 229 and the laterally extended offset portion24% thereof is provided with recess 242'. A similar recessis provided inslide 238 corresponding to recess 242 and within the recesses in slide238 and the offset extension 240, spring 243 is disposed; At its upperend, spring 243 is supported in anaperture in the offset extension 245)and at its lower end is supported in an aperture in slide 233, spring243normally serving to urge. slide 238 upwardly itO the inactiveposition shown in FIG. 2.

Upon downward movement of the slide 238 from its inactive'position,shaft 68 is rocked to effect engagement of the clutch 25. For thispurpose, shaft 60 carries arm 248- which, at its free end, isprovidedwith pin 249 engaged in the vertically disposed .slot 250 in the upperend of slide 238. Normally, pin249 is in contact with iihB upper end ofthe slot 250, which is of a length sufficient to enable the rocking ofclutch control shaft 69 by the rocking of trip member 251 (FIG. 3), uponpassage of other mail matter, such as envelopes, into the meteringdevice. It can be seen, however, that upon actuation of the racksupporting plate 106 (to the left in FIG. 6) by virtue of the engagementofactuator slide Mil witheither pin 14% or the initial. part ofthemovement will cause arm 235 to be rocked clockwise (FIG. 2) to engagepin 236 with the upper edge surface of the extension 237 of slide 238.-Upon further movement of the plate 1% to the left for the limited extentof its travel, the-rocking of arm 235 moves slide 238 downwardly,thereby imparting a clockwise rotation to the clutch control shaft 6% toeffect engagement of the cyclic clutch 25. The extent of the lost motionof pin 23 5, prior to its engagement with the upper edge surface of theextension 237, is suiiicien-t to enable the tape feed roller 86' to movethe leading edge of the tape T into frictional engagement with thesurface of the feed belt 23,

between the belt and pressure roller 49. Thereafter, tape T is severedto selectively form either a short or long tape strip which is advancedby belt 23 to the printing station in proper timed relation to therotation of the printing drums 26 and 27 for a postage impressionthereon. 1 Following the actuation of" the rack supporting plate 166 toprovide-either a short or a long tape and, upon termination of therotation of the feedrollerfitl by the engagement of the nose 183; of arm182 in either the notch-.128 or 129 and the corresponding notches 136 or131 ofthe respective disks 126 and 127, the impact of the nose 183 withthe left-hand surface of the actively positioned notches would normallybe 'sufiicient, under the influence of spring 184, to cause an angularcounterclockwise rotation of the disks. Such backlash of the disks 1%and 12'? and, therefore, feed roller'Sd, would effect a retraction ofthe serrated end of the tape T from the cutting edge ofithe toothedportion 177 of cutter rod 176." Thus, a subsequent actuation of racksupport ing plate 106 would either beinsuflicient'to move the leadingend of theltape into frictional engagement with the feed belt 23, or thesevered strip of tape'would be shorter than the desired length. such acondition, conventional means are provided for locking the feed roller86 against rotation asthe nose 183 of arm 182 is urged into the alignedactive notches of the disks 126 and 127. I Referring to FIG. 1, arm 252is carried by a hub secured on the outer end of cutter rod 176. At:itSlower In order to prevent end, arm 252 carries pin 253 extending toeither side of the arm and secured in position by any suitable means,such as a threaded nut. The inwardly extended portion of pin 253 carriesa roller which becomes effective, upon a predetermined angularcounter-clockwise rocking movement of the arm 253, to engage thevertically disposed edge of arm 254 freely mounted for independentmovement in an annular groove in the hub of arm 252 and positionedadjacent thereto. At its lower extremity, arm 254 is provided with thelaterally projecting ear 255 adapted for engagement in either of thepair of diametrically opposed notches 256 in disk 257 secured on the endof feed roller shaft 90.

It will be recalled that upon the initial actuation of rack supportingplate 106, the disk 126 (FIG. 7) becomes effective to rock arm 182 and,therefore, cutter rod 176 counterclockwise to the inactive positionthereof. Immediately prior to the disengagement of the nose 183 of arm182 from the aligned actively positioned notches in disks 126 and 127, aroller on the inward extension of pin 253 on arm 252 engages arm 254 todisengage ear 255 from the aligned notch 256 in disk 257, therebyenabling rotation of shaft 90 upon continued actuation of the plate 106.Following either 180 or 360 rotation of the disk 127 and feed roller 80and the movement of the aligned notches into position for re-engagementby the nose 183 of arm 182, the clockwise rocking of the arm 182 andshaft 176 imparts a similar movement to arm 252. Thereupon, spring 258,supported at its one end on the outwardly extended portion of pin 253 onarm 252 and at its other end on arm 254, causes the arm 254 to be rockedclockwise, moving ear 255 into the aligned notch 256 of disk 257. Thus,further rotation of shaft 90 and feed roller 80 is precluded immediatelyprior to the abutment of the nose 183 of arm 182 with the left-handsurface of the aligned active notches in the disks 126 and 127.

Conventional mechanism is provided for facilitating the threading of anew tape between feed rollers 79 and 80, upon depletion of the tapesupply roll 70. For this purpose, U-shaped bracket 86 (FIGS. 1, 4 and6), keyed on shaft 78, is rocked counter-clockwise to, and is locked in,its inactive position by the engagement of pin 262 in notch 263 of latchlever 264. Thus, the feed roller 79 is moved out of engagement with feedroller 80. At the same time the rocking of shaft 78 becomes effective torock the cutting portion 177 of cutter shaft 176 to its inactiveposition by means of arm 265 secured thereon intermediate frame members72 and 73. The rounded nose formed at the free end of arm 265 underliesear 266 projecting laterally from the end portion of the substantiallyhorizontally disposed arm of lever 267 secured on the end of shaft 268suitably journalled for rocking movement in frame members 71 and 72.Thus, it can be seen that upon movement of bracket 86 to its inactiveposition, the arm 265 rocks lever 267 clockwise (FIGS. 6 and 7) which,by virtue of the engagement of the bifurcation 269 in the end of theupwardly extended arm of lever 267 with the pin 270 on arm 182, impartsa counter-clockwise movement to the arm 182. The nose 183 of arm 182 isthereby removed from its engagement in the aligned notches of the disks126 and 127 and the cutter device 97 is disabled.

It will be recalled that upon removal of the nose 183 of arm 182 fromactive engagement with the aligned active notches in disks 126 and 127,cutter rod 176 is angularly rotated to disable cutter device 97 and toalso remove the ear 255 on arm 254 from its engagement with the activelypositioned one of the notches 256 in disk 257 (FIG. 1). Thus, uponrelease of each of these locking means, tape feed roller 80 may befreely rotated. However, means are provided for preventing inadvertentrotation of tape feed roller 80 while U-shaped bracket 86 is in itsinactive position, thereby ensuring retention of the alignment of thecorresponding notches in the disks 14 126 and 127 and the alignment ofnotch 256 in disk 257 for re-engagernent by the nose of arm 182 and theear 255 of arm 254, respectively. In order to lock roller againstrotation at this time, a pair of diametrically op-' posed concaveindentations, similar to 271 in FIG. 6, is provided in the peripheraledge of the disk 272 concentric with and secured on one end of the feedroller 80 (FIG. 8). Following each rotation of feed roller 80, or aftereach complete revolution thereof, one or the other of the indentations271 will be in position to receive the arcuate edge 273 on the dependingportion of leg 84 of U-shaped bracket 86, upon rocking movement of thebracket to its inactive position. Following the tape threadingoperation, latch lever 264 is depressed, releasing the U-shaped bracket86 to the influence of spring 94, thereby restoring roller 79 into itsactive position relative to feed roller 80 and enabling the return ofthe nose 183 of arm 182 into the aligned active notches in disks 126 and127.

We claim:

1. In a tape feeding device, the combination of a source of tape supply,a feed roller for advancing the tape from said source of supply, a diskassociated with said feed roller for rotation therewith having a seriesof peripheral notches therein, each notch representative of an angularlyrotated position of said feed roller, a cutting means for severing theadvanced portion of the tape to form a strip of a selected length, meansengageable selectively in one of the series of notches in said diskoperable to terminate the rotation of said feed roller in apredetermined angularly rotated position thereof and to effect operationof said cutting means, an actuating means for driving said disk movabledifferentially to control the angular rotation of said feed roller,means operable to control operation of said engageable mean subsequentto the operation of said actuating means, a power-operated means foreffecting differential movement of said actuating means, and meanssettable to control the differential movement of said actuating means bysaid power-operated means.

2. In a tape feeding device, the combination of a source of tape supply,a feed roller rotatable to advance the tape from said source of supply,a first disk and a second disk, said first disk being associated withsaid feed roller for rotation therewith, said second disk having a lostmotion connection with said first disk, each of said disks having aplurality of corresponding equiangularly spaced notches in the peripherythereof, the said notches in said second disk normally aligned axiallyof the disks with the corresponding notches in said first disk, andactuating means effective upon selective differential operation thereofto drive said second disk in one direction relative to said first diskthrough the lost motion connection therebetween and operable thereafterto effect rotation of said first disk by said second disk, a cutter forsevering the advanced portion of the tape to form strips of each of aplurality of predetermined lengths, a power-operated means enabled bysaid first and said second disks and operable to lock said disks toretain said feed roller in each angularly rotated position thereof andto operate said cutter subsequent to the operation of said actuatingmeans, a power-driven means for driving said actuating means, and meansadjustable to determine the differential operation of said actuatingmeans by said powerdriven means.

3. In the apparatus of claim 2, said actuating means comprising a gearmeans, a unidirectional clutch operable upon operation of said gearmeans to effect operation of said second disk and the rotation of saidfirst disk, a rack means for driving said gear means operable upondifferential movement from a normally inactive position to controlangular rotation of said feed roller and operation of saidpower-operated means, and a restore means operable subsequent to theoperation of said power-driven means and said power-operated means torestore said rack means to the inactive position.

4.,In the apparatus of claim 3, said power-operated means comprising aresilient means, and a detent means for operating said cutter renderedoperable by said resili nt means for engagement in the aligned selectiveones of the corresponding notches in said first and said second disks asdetermined by the differential movement of said rack means in accordancewith the adjustment of said adjustable means,

5. In the apparatus of claim 4, wherein said rack means includes aplurality of pins selectively engageable by said power-driven means tocontrol the differential movement of said rack means, one of said pinsbeing normally ac ively engaged by said power-driven means and the otnerof said pins being adjustable selectively by said ad 16 justable meansfrom an inactive toan active position, and a manipulative means forcontrolling adjustment of said adjustable means.

References Cited by theExaminer,

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,169,767 2/16' Bresnan 2 83244 X 7 1,504,4198/24v Berkley 83241 X 1,748,940 3/30 Beach 83649 X 1,782,362 11/30McArthur 83241 X 1,789,688 1/31 Rast et a1. 83242 X 2,220,256 11/ 40Martindale 83'24'1 X 2,838,113 6/58 Cronell 83244 X 3,063,322 11/62'Thomas 83587 ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A TAPE FEEDING DEVICE, THE COMBINATION OF A SOURCE OF TAPE SUPPLY,A FEED ROLLER FOR ADVANCING THE TAPE FROM SAID SOURCE OF SUPPLY, A DISKASSOCIATED WITH SAID FEED ROLLER FOR ROTATION THEREWITH HAVING A SERIESOF PERIPHERAL NOTCHES, THEREIN, EACH NOTCH REPRESENTATIVE OF ANANGULARLY ROTATED POSITION OF FEED ROLLER, A CUTTING MEANS FOR SEVERINGTHE ADVANCED PORTION OF THE TAPE TO FORM A STRIP OF A SELECTED LENGTH,MEANS ENGAGEABLE SELECTIVELY IN ONE OF THE SERIES OIF NOTCHES IN SAIDDISK OPERABLE TO TERMINATE THE ROTATION OIF SAID REED ROLLER IN APREDETERMINED ANGULARLY ROTATED POSITION THEREOF AND TO EFFECT OPERATIONOF SAID CUTTING MEANS, AN ACTUATING MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID DISK MOVABLEDIFFERENTIALLY TO CONTROL THE ANGULAR ROTATION OF SAID FEED ROLLER,MEANS OPERABLE TO CONTROL OPERATION OF SAID ENGAGEABLE MEANS SUBSEQUENTTO THE OPERATION OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS, A POWER-OPERATED MEANS FOREFFECTING DIFFERENTIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS, AND MEANSSETTABLE TO CONTROL THE DIFFERENTIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS BYSAID POWER-OPERATED MEANS.